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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, July 1, 2008) – Infrastructure projects under the Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) could be hampered as the Department of Works is facing a shortage of engineers.

It is feared if nothing is done immediately to contain the situation, the Government could spend millions unnecessarily on repairing and building infrastructures due to unprofessional advice.

The department revealed this in a media conference in Port Moresby on Saturday.

The department’s roads and bridges division lacks professional engineers, the most critical people it needs to make sure infrastructures such as roads, wharves and bridges are well-built and worth the Government’s money.

The engineers are leaving because of poor remuneration packages (wages and allowances).

But due to the recent boom in the mining industry and other business activities...

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, June 30, 2008) - The U.S. House passed on Tuesday a House Concurrent Resolution calling for the recognition of individuals from the territories when American students study the history of the United States.

Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands sponsored the resolution that was introduced early last year. This year, 46 U.S. House members joined as co-sponsors of the measure. The co-sponsors include U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to the Insular Areas.

The resolution expresses "the sense of Congress that children in the United States should understand and appreciate the contributions of individuals from the territories of the United States and the contributions of such individuals in United States history."

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, July 1, 2008) – A brown tree snake from Guam sneaked into Saipan last week possibly on a commercial ship and has yet to be found.

Jim Stanford, head of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Rapid Response Team on Guam, told Variety in a phone interview that there are about at least a million snakes on Guam — descendants of the snake that was accidentally shipped from the South Pacific after World War II.

Guam lost several bird species and millions of dollars due to thousands of power outages that affected private, commercial, and military activities.

There was also widespread loss of domestic birds and pets and considerable emotional trauma to residents and visitors alike.

Stanford said finding the snake on Saipan will be a "community effort."

"The (Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Fish and Wildlife) wants to take the opportunity...

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, July 1, 2008) - Fiji’s interim government has decided to support a visit by a delegation of program makers and officials from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Australia’s parent company.

Last week the group was informed Fiji would not support the visit, and visas to enter Fiji would not be issued to the seven-member team -- stopping them from reporting in the country and also holding audience feedback sessions.

But the Director of ABC International, Murray Green, says he was informed earlier today that Fiji had decided to allow it.

"I heard this morning from the Fijian High Commission in Canberra," he said. "I think we had ongoing discussions; I think those discussions have been fruitful and I’m very grateful we’re able to visit Fiji."

The group arrives in Fiji on the July 11, and will then travel to American Samoa.

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 1, 2008) - Fiji’s Mineral Resources Department said it has not been formally notified of the research study regarding several huge active submarine volcanoes found near Fiji.

Two weeks ago, online news sites reported that Australian scientists have discovered two mineral-rich, active volcanoes more than a kilometer under the sea near Fiji, with mining companies already lining up to try to exploit the sites.

"If indeed the volcanoes are located within Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, then there is potential for offshore mineral deposition," the Mineral Resources Department said.

On reports that mining companies are already lining up to exploit the sites, the Department said Cabinet had earlier in the year agreed that a moratorium be placed on granting of any offshore exploration or mining licenses until the Offshore Mining Policy has been finalized.

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (Samoa News, June 30, 2008) - San Francisco-based Del Monte Foods Co., announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to sell its seafood business, including StarKist Seafood, to South Korean based Dongwon Group for $363 million, which is subject to a working capital adjustment.

StarKist Seafood includes its StarKist Samoa operations in the territory. Del Monte acquired StarKist in 2002 from Heinz Corporation.

The Dongwon Group entities involved in the acquisition are Dongwon Enterprise, Dongwon F&B Co., Ltd.; and Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. Dongwon issued its own statement announced the same deal.

Del Monte chairman and chief executive officer Rick Wolford said the divestiture of its seafood business, including StarKist, is a significant step in the realignment of the company portfolio toward higher margin, higher growth businesses.

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 1, 2008) - Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Limited has announced a Group consolidated net profit after tax and minority interest of FJ$46.1 million [US$31 million], for the 12 months ended 31st March, 2008.

This was achieved on the back of an increase in consolidated sales revenue by FJ$12.2 million [US$8 million].

This is a new record profit and an increase of 11.8 percent over the corresponding period last year, in which a Group consolidated net profit after tax and minority interest of FJ$41.2 million was recorded.

The ATH group has adopted the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) under which this year’s accounts have been prepared.

Comparative figures for last year were restated for the effect of IFRS, which was minimal.

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, June 26, 2008) – "Hallo, Chief Isaac Wan in Tanna. This is the Deputy Prime Minister and we are launching Digicel in Port Vila, which is why I am talking by mobile to you. Listen, your Solar Panel is going to reach you. Ture is going to hand it to you shortly. By the way, at the launching everything is painted red in the same colour as the John Frum crosses".

"Hallo Chief Isaac Wan, as the Deputy Prime Minister has said, this is in line with what we have agreed to. Yes, all the things that we have been talking about are coming true and I am delighted to be able to speak to you today when we are launching Digicel in Port Vila".

The contents of the two conversations sounded highly political but the news is that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister launched Digicel in the new National Capital yesterday.

NMHC did not provide figures but said there’s a need to continuously help these families through federally funded housing assistance.

NMHC corporate director Joshua T. Sasamoto has asked lawmakers to introduce a joint resolution authorizing the CNMI government, through the governor, to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development three grant applications for community assistance.

NMHC is the lead agency responsible for submitting grant applications to HUD.

NMHC has to submit a joint legislative resolution with the grant application package which must be approved by the governor for submission to the HUD Honolulu office by Aug. 15,...

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.